Updates on BrainLab’s iPhone Integrated System

We recently mentioned the BrainLab system for identifying bony landmarks on the knee that utilizes an iPhone/iPod touch as a major component. BrainLab’s Marc Mackey has since contacted us and clarified a few points.

The iPod-based system is a stand alone computer assisted surgery system that will initially be available with apps for total hip and total knee replacement. The top target for this project was efficiency, with
a goal of being faster or time neutral to procedures using conventional instruments while achieving the benefits of improved alignment. We expect the 510(k) soon.

Digital Lightbox could be called a “giant iPhone”, but BrainLAB did develop the multi-touch capability BEFORE the iPhone was launched! The idea is that you can hang it on the wall and interact with any medical images or information easily and quickly, rather than sit hunched over a desktop monitor.

Dan Buckland MD PhD is a Emergency Medicine resident at George Washington University Hospital. He covers space and extreme environment medicine as well as app and gadget reviews. For more information see http://danbuckland.me